Playing-ball.



No. 708,483. Patentgd Sept. 2, I902.

E. KEMPSHALL.

PLAYING BALL.

\Application filed Dec. 18, 1901.

(No Model.)

Inventor:

Witn66866: 52262671179772 Zf JZQZL i7 Zia/flaring yiw UNITED STATES ATENT ELEAZER KEMPSHALL, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PLAYING-BALL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 708,483, dated September 2, 1902. Application filed December l8, 1901, Serial No. 86,347. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELEAZER KEMPSHALL, a citizen of the United States, residing in Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of-Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Playing-Balls, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to balls for use in golf and other games; and its objects are to improve the quality and efliciency of the balls and also to provide a method for producing balls of uniform and reliable quality at low cost.

In my pending application filed September 27, 1901, Serial No. 76,814, I show a ball constructed with a celluloid shell compressed upon an elastic substance, whereby the shell is elastically supported against distortion prodnced by a blow. Certain of the claims in said application cover broadly the construction made the subject-matter thereof, this application being based upon certain features not specifically claimed in said pending application. In the present instance I compress a shell of gntta-percha upon a filling of soft rubber. v

Referring to the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure'l is aview, partly in section, of a ball made according to my present improvements and partly broken away. Fig. 2 illustrates the preferred method of manufacturing the balls.

Similar letters of referencedesignate like parts in the figures.

I produce a center piece (designated by A) of the required size and shape of india-rubber, preferably highly vulcanized and of firm texture. This center piece or filling is too bulky for the capacity of the finished shell. The latter is made of well-seasoned gutta-perch'a of high quality, and I preferably form the same of two hemispherical segments (designated in Fig. 2 by B and C, respectively) by means of suitable apparatus, whereby the segments are shaped and the gutta-percha is subjected to ahigh degreeof pressure and becomes solidified and toughened- The center piece A is placed between said segments, and these assembled parts are placed between forming-dies-as, for instance, D and E whereupon the dies are brought together by means of suitable mechanism, forcing the shells together until their edges are in intimate contact. The gutta-percha is treated or otherwise put in proper condition for the adherence of its edges under pressure, and the dies may be heated by steam or otherwise for bringing the gutta-percha into suitable condition and consistency for uniting them and completing the shell. The inner surface of the shell or outer surface of the filling, or both, may be treated so as to cause the rubher to adhere to the gutta-percha. The abutting edges of the original segments at B and C may be made somewhat full, thereby to furnish material for properly forming the joint between them as they are subjected to the final compression, at which operation the ball is finally shaped and at the same time the material of the shell is compressed between the dies and the resisting mass A within the shell. Since this central portion is first prepared somewhat oversize and the shell is compressed over the same, as explained, the resistance of said central portion while under such compression furnishesa substantial support forsustainin g the relatively thin shell against the pressure of the forming-dies. Byproperly sizing the center piece the shell may be snstained against any necessary degree of pressure of the dies. Preferably the edges B and 0 contact before much, if any, compression of the rubber core is effected, so as to avoid liability of the rubber squeezing out between said edges. Upon further action of the dies the heated gutta-percha at said edges is forced out between the approaching die faces or edges D and E, the lower die being preferably cupped and the upper die telescoping closeby therein, so as to prevent escape of the gntta-percha between the sliding die-faces at D. Upon continued action of the dies the gntta-percha which has thus been forced outwardly is squeezed out of the narrowing gap between the die edges and forced back to ward the interior of the ball, tending to make a thickening at G upon the inner side of the completed shell H, Fig. 1, this thickening not only serving to reduce the confines of the rubber core, and hence increase the compression and consequent resiliency thereof, but also tending to strengthen the shell at the joint or weld. The compression of the ball is maintained while the shell cools and liar ICC dens, so that the latter may hold the ball under permanent compression or grip. It is to be understood that in case condensation of the bulk of the core takes place in the operation of compressing the shell upon the core it is due to the presence of air-spaces or impurities in the material. It is not essential in all cases that the core be condensed in bulk so long as when the ball is finished the core is powerfully gripped by the shell, thereby enabling shell and core to act conjointly, and hence vastly improving the playing qualities of the ball. By the compression operation the gutta-percha is further compacted or solidified and put into better condition to resist wear, and the simultaneous heating and high compression are found to have a highly beneficial effect thereon. Moreover, by said operation the rubber core is put under considerable compression, and thereby rendered exceedingly sensitive in responding to a blow from an implement. Thus I produce a twofold springiness in the ball, or, in other words,l enable the elasticity of the compressed rubber filling to cooperate with the springiness of the compressed gutta percha shell, so as to instantly restore the latter to its normal shape after distortion by a blow. The promptness of the ball in responding to a blow is augmented by having the rubber filling under compression, since the outward pressure thereof tends constantly to cause the shell to maintain a spherical shape, or, in other words, the outward pressure due to the constant effort of the compressed mass to enlarge its confines is of material assistance in enabling the ball to spring instantly back to its original shape, and hence conduces to the eificiency thereof. Moreover, owing to its compression said core is more resisting, and when struck it sooner reaches the limit of compression, so that less force is wasted in changing and rechanging the shape of the ball and more momentum is acquired by the ball from the implement.

Owing to the provision of the compressed rubber core, the liability to permanent distortion of the ball, whichis a fault of solid gutta-percha balls, is avoided. By using highly-vulcanized rubber for the filling it is enabled to withstand without injury the heating to which the gutta-percha is subjected at the compressing operation. The compressed core gives an even resistance at all portions of the shell, so that a reliable and uniform action of the ball is secured. The core is practically indestructible and, moreover, always maintains its true central position, thereby minimizing the tendency to erratic flight or movement. The rubber may have considerable weight, thereby rendering the ball heavier than a solid gutta-percha ball of the same diameter. The rubber is relatively inexpensive, thereby reducing the cost of the ball. By making gutta-percha in a shell form it is given a resiliency not possessed by a solid gutta-percha ball. By backing the gutta-percha with rubber cutting, denting, or nicking of the ball is prevented.

My present improvements are applicable not only to golf-balls, but also to balls for use in playing other games, and it Will be understood that the thickness of the shell and also the firmness and relative size of the center pieces may be varied in accordance with the requirements of any particular game or use for which the balls may be employed.

I usually make the exterior surface of golfballs pebbled or corrugated to any design or configuration which may be preferred by the players. The ball is represented at Fig. 1 as furnished on the exterior surface with relatively slight elevations of a spherical configuration.

Variations in method and structure may be resorted to within the scope of the improvements set forth herein.

Certain features of the herein-described process are broadly claimed in my other pending application, Serial No. 86,348, filed December 18, 1901. The feature of welding by forcing the shell material out and back'is set forth and claimed specifically in my other pending application, Serial No. 87,976, filed December 31, 1901.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. A playing-ball comprising a highly-compacted substantial gutta-percha shell and a soft-rubber sphere or ball powerfully gripped by said shell, so that the shell constantly tends to compress the core and the latter to expand the shell.

2. A playing-ball comprising a highly-compacted substantial gutta-percha shell and a sphere of solid soft rubber held under permanent compression by said shell.

3. A playing-ball comprising a gutta-percha shell consisting of welded segments, and a solid sphere consisting entirely of well-vulcanized soft rubber filling said shell and held under compression thereby.

l. A playing-ball consisting of a highlycompacted shell built up from gutta-percha segments, said segments being Welded edge to edge, and a filling consisting largely or wholly of soft rubber powerfully gripped by said shell.

5. A'playing-ball comprising a shell built up of highly solidified or compacted hemispherical sections of well-seasoned gutta-percha, and a sphere of highly-vulcanized, solid soft rubber held under compression by said shell.

6. A playing-ball comprising a highly-compacted substantial gutta-percha shell and. a sphere of solid soft rubber cemented to and powerfully gripped by said shell.

7. A playing-ball com prising a gutta-percha shell consisting of welded segments, and a sphere of well-vulcanized soft rubber filling said shell and cemented thereto and held under compression thereby.

8. In a playing-ball, the combination with a soft filling of a shell of plastic material oo- 10. A golf-ball having a core of molded elastic material compressed within a hard or rigid but elastic outer covering, substantially as set forth.

11. A go1f-ba11 having a core of homogeneous rubber under pressure and an outer cover- :5

ing of gutta-percha, substanbiallyas set forth.

ELEAZER KEMPSHALL. Witnesses:

C. STICKNEY, JOHN O. SEIFERT. 

